CONFLICT OF LAWS

Course Outline
Atty. Eden C. Brion, CPA

I.

Introduction/Background

II.

Jurisdiction

III.

1.
2.
3.
4.

Definition and elements

Conflict of Laws vs. Law of Nations
Phases in the resolution of conflicts problem
Sources of conflicts rules

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Definition of jurisdiction in Conflict of Laws

Kinds of jurisdiction
Minimum contacts
Principle of continuing jurisdiction

Forum non conveniens

Cases:
1. Hasegawa vs. Kitamura, G.R. No. 149177, November 23, 2007
2. Raytheon International Inc. vs. Rouzie, Jr., G.R. No. 162894, February 26,
2008
3. Puyat vs. Zabarte, G.R. No. 141536, February 26, 2001
4. PNCC vs. Asiavest Merchant Bankers (M) Berhad, G.R. No. 172301, August
19, 2015
5. Continental Micronesia, Inc. vs. Basso, G.R. No. 178382, September 23,
2015
Choice of Law
1.
2.
3.
4.

Conditions for the application of the rules on choice of law

Test factors in determining the applicable law
State of the most significant relationship rule
When lex fori (law of the forum) applies
a. Doctrine of processual presumption
b. Proof of foreign law
5. Theories on the application of foreign law

Cases:
1. Saudi Arabian Airlines vs. CA, G.R. No. 122191, October 8, 1998
2. Wildvalley Shipping Co., Ltd. vs. CA, G.R. No. 119602, October 6, 2000
3. Yao Kee vs. Gonzales, G.R. No. 55960, November 24, 1988
4. Garcia vs. Recio, G.R. No. 138322, October 2, 2001

IV.

V.

VI.

VII.

Foreign Judgments

1. Conditions for the recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments

2. Presumptive validity of foreign judgments
3. Effect of foreign judgments

Cases:
1. Asiavest Merchant Bankers (M) Berhad vs. CA and PNCC, G.R. No.
110263, July 20, 2001
2. Philippine Aluminum Wheels, Inc. vs. FASGI Enterprises, Inc., G.R. No.
137378, October 12, 2000
3. Philsec Investment Corporation vs. CA, G.R. No. 103493, June 19, 1997
4. Fujiki vs. Marinay, G.R. No. 196049, June 26, 2013
Characterization of Conflicts Case
1.
2.
3.
4.

Components of a conflicts rule

Meaning of characterization
Steps in the resolution of a conflicts case
Theories on characterization

Cases:
1. Saudi Arabian Airlines vs. CA, G.R. No. 122191, October 8, 1998
2. Cadalin vs. POEA, G.R. No. L-104776, December 5, 1994
Status and Capacity

1. Status vs. capacity

2. Theories on personal law
The Nationality Theory

1. Citizenship under the Constitution

2. Dual citizenship
a. Hague Convention on Conflict of Nationality Laws
3. Rules on statelessness
a. UN Conventions on Reduction of Statelessness (1954 and 1961)
4. Derivative citizenship
5. Naturalization
a. Commonwealth Act No. 473
b. R.A. 9139
6. Loss of citizenship
a. Citizenship Retention and Re-acquisition Act (R.A. 9225)

Cases:
1. Yung Uan Chu vs. Republic, G.R. No. L-34973, April 14, 1988
2. Poe-Llamanzares vs. COMELEC, G.R. No. 221697, March 8, 2016
3. Arnado vs. COMELEC, G.R. No. 210164, August 18, 2015
4. Republic vs. Batugas, G.R. No. 183110, October 7, 2013
5. Tabasa vs. CA, G.R. No. 125793, August 29, 2006

VIII. Domiciliary Theory

IX.
X.

XI.

1. Kinds of domicile
2. Constitutional protection on domicile
3. Change of domicile
Situs or Eclectic Theory

Renvoi

1. Meaning
2. Ways to resolve the problem of renvoi
3. Transmission

Case:
1. Aznar vs. Garcia, G.R. No. L-16749, January 31, 1963
Specific Conflicts Rules
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

Status and capacity

Marriage and family relations
Succession
Real and personal property
Obligations and contracts
Torts
Crimes
Juridical persons

Cases:
1. Philippine Export and Foreign Loan Guarantee Corporation vs. V.P.
Eusebio Construction, Inc., G.R. No. 140047, July 13, 2004
2. Fujiki vs. Marinay, G.R. No. 196049, June 26, 2013
3. Saudi Arabian Airlines vs. CA, G.R. No. 122191, October 8, 1998
4. Navida vs. Dizon, G.R. No. 125078, May 30, 2011